On Thursday, the state Department of Public Health reported the fourth case of measles in the state this year -- a child in Redding. But that is more than occurred in the preceding eight years combined -- with eight months of 2014 still to go.

"Ultimately, we may see more,'' said Kathy Kudish, coordinator for vaccine-preventable disease for the state health department. "All the states surrounding Connecticut have reported measles, so the potential is there.''

The bump in the number of cases has prompted local doctors to urge unvaccinated patients to get the shots. It is also a reminder to parents who chose not to vaccinate their children that measles remains a serious health threat.

Dr. James Sabetta, director of infectious diseases and internal medicine at Greenwich Hospital, said the state Department of Public Health has been good in sending out medical alerts. But young doctors who haven't encountered measles before have a learning curve in recognizing it.

"They're aware of measles-like rashes," Sabetta said. "They've never seen a cases of measles."